After round 15 of the Eredivisie season, Vitesse remain at the top of the Eredivisie as they continue their serious bid to win their maiden Dutch Championship title.
- By Leo Walker
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Vitesse wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 victory over the newly promoted SC Cambuur at the Gelredome on Sunday following goals by Marko Vejinovic, Kelvin Leerdam and Giorgi Chanturia which saw them return to the summit of the table. It was a rare victory for Vitesse in that no goals were scored by a loanee from Chelsea. The side from Arnhem had lost top spot following Ajax’s 4-0 demolition of ADO Den Haag.
In a subdued Kyocera Stadion in the first game of Sunday, Ajax raced to a 1-0 lead following Danny Hoesen’s opener. A further goal was added from Viktor Fischer before the break and with ADO Den Haag offering very little, it was already game over at the break. A third was added by defender Ricardo van Rhijn when he was given too much space by the ADO midfield, before Bojan Krkic, returning to the side after two months out, scored his first official goal for Ajax in injury time to wrap up the 4-0 victory. The victory for Ajax ensures they remain just two points behind the league leaders as they seek their fourth successive Eredivisie title, and their 33rd.
In the crucial tie at the De Kuip between two of the Dutch giants, Feyenoord would gain the vital victory and remain six points off the top. It was PSV who would take the lead though, despite Feyenoord on top in the early proceedings. A brilliant pass from Florian Jozefzoon set Adam Maher through to score his first goal for PSV since his move from AZ Alkmaar. The De Kuip was stunned, and with first half coming to a close it was looking like Feyenoord would undeservedly go in at the break a goal down, however Jean Paul-Boetius had other ideas an unleashed a half volley from 25 yards out to equalise. In the second half, Feyenoord dominated and just 10 minutes in they found themselves in front with Graziano Pellé scoring from the spot. The Italian striker would miss a second penalty before tapping in for his second goal to extend Feyenoord’s lead and wrap up the three points. The victory for Feyenoord has ensured they rise into 4th, whilst further pressure mounts on Philip Cocu as they lie in 10th after 15 games.
FC Twente lie in third, one place above Feyenoord, after their 2-1 victory over Roda JC on Friday evening, the fixture which opened round 15. It was Roda JC who would take the lead after 39 minutes and head in at the break, 1-0 up. However, the second half saw FC Twente score twice through Luc Castaignos and Quincy Promes to record a 2-1 victory in their first win in Roda since 2009. It has been reported since that both scouts from Barcelona and Liverpool were present to observe FC Twente striker, Luc Castaignos.
Saturday’s action commenced with former league leaders, PEC Zwolle at home to RKC Waalwijk with both sides sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw. PEC Zwolle led on the brink of half time when Mustafa Saymak opened the scoring to send the hosts in front at the break. Erwin Koeman’s side defeated Feyenoord in round 14 thanks to Aurelian Joachim’s last minute winner, and the hero from that fixture would score again, a fine back heeled effort minutes into the restart. RKC Waalwijk remain in the bottom three despite the draw, though they are now just one point behind Heracles Almelo in 15th. FC Utrecht inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Heracles after coming back from a goal down to ensure they would sit in 15th. It was Heracles who opened the scoring after 27 minutes, however a second half brace by FC Utrecht captain, Jens Toornstra ensured they left Almelo with the full three points following the 2-1 score line and after a poor start to the season, Jan Wouter’s side are now above PSV in 9th.
FC Groningen found themselves 2-0 down in Breda following Danny Verbeek’s opener after 10 minutes and Stipe Perica scoring the second, with what appeared to be the match winner. Though the Green and White Army did not give in and David Teixera put them back in the game on the 80 minute mark. With seconds remaining, FC Groningen recorded a special comeback when Michael de Leeuw equalised with the game finishing 2-2. At the Abe Lenstra Stadion, sc Heerenveen were stunned just before half time when the Go Ahead Eagles led through Erik Falkenburg to send the visitors in front at the break. Though within seven minutes of the second half, Marco van Basten’s side had turned the match on its head to lead 2-1 following goals by Marten de Roon and Péle van Anholt. A third to wrap up the game was scored by Hakim Ziyech who is quickly becoming the hottest property in Dutch football.
The game which ended the round was a five goal thriller between NEC Nijmegen and the undefeated AZ Alkmaar. NEC Nijmegen headed into the round with just one victory to their name this season, however they led after just 17 minutes following Marnick Vermijl’s opener. Dick Advocaat’s side responded 8 minutes later through Roy Beeren’s effort which silenced the Nijmegen crown. However in the second half, NEC Nijmegen opened up a two goal gap to put them on the road for just their second victory of the season with a brace by Alireza Jahanbakhsh. It was nervous last 10 minutes for NEC though when substitute Steven Berghuis got AZ within reach of scoring a last minute equaliser, however the hosts held on to record a 3-2 victory and inflict Dick Advocaat’s first defeat since he returned to football management with AZ Alkmaar.
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